Preventing Abuse: Keeping children safe

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What is child sexual abuse? Anytime a child, teenager, or adult uses a child in a sexual way, it is abuse. Sexual contact may be gentle or painful. Clothes may be on or off. Child sexual abuse includes sexual touching, kissing, play, showing of pornography or taking pictures. Sexual abuse is never a child's fault. Children cannot give consent to sex with an older child, a teenager, or an adult.

Don't make your children:

Hug or kiss someone if they do not want to. This teaches children they have to hug or kiss someone when they are told to. It may teach them to ignore their own feelings of what is unsafe, or confusing.

Don't tell children they have to do "everything" the babysitter or the boyfriend or older brother, etc. says. Children hear things in a concrete way. Children may think they "have to do whatever" they are told. Sexual abuse is about power, trickery, deceit, and secrets.

Never leave your child with a known or suspected sex offender, even if the person has been through treatment.

See a doctor right away if:

Your child has pain or bleeding in their private areas

Your child has irritation or discharge from their private areas

Parenting Help

The National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information maintains publications with helpful hints on parenting. These resources can be accessed and downloaded free.

Topics include:

Tips for Being a Nurturing Parent

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Soothing A Crying Infant

The Power of Choice

Time Out

Dealing With Temper Tantrums

Parents Anonymous®:Parents Anonymous is a resource where parents can ask for help before abuse can start. Parents Anonymous offers several groups in Anchorage that meet on a regular basis. Parents Anonymous also operates local 24-hour hotlines.